Preston Shirmeyer's Story

10-9-2002 Basson

Matt Purkiser, Todd Jackson, and Myself were the only ones left with the enthusiasm to trip to a back lake. After three rain soaked fishing days on Cat, and Billy, our fourth fisherman Mark "PB" Wilson, was tired of the rain. The day was the best weather of the trip, about 55 with a slight wind, and just enough clouds to make the fishing decent. We started out crawler fishing for Bass on the shoal, with absolutely no hits. Trolling was the only game this day. So we triple trolled, Todd and I out one side, and Matt out the other, with my line out the farthest. Matt and Todd used large Rapalas and I used one of Matt's Yo-Zuri minnow baits about 2 1/2". While trolling on the outside Matt got a hit, and then I felt a tick on my line on the inside. Matt reeled in with weeds, so I expected the same. When I got my lure in I said "Look what I caught!" Todd and Matt immediately looked and began laughing hysterically. It was a small mouth that was literally smaller than the Yo-Zuri, by about 1/4". I do not even know how the treble hook fit in his mouth. That was the only thing I caught on that lure, so 30 min. later I switched to a Rapala identical to Matt's only slightly smaller. Not too long after that I got a hit that was definitely a pike. It seemed to feel like the “regular size” of 24-26” that we had been getting all week. When he got to the boat and saw us, he let me know just how strong he was. He took line and took the tip of my pole into the water. When I finally got him back to the side of the boat for a good look, he looked huge. Of course the stringer was on that side and still in the water, and the net was not ready yet. The fish soon made all of that moot. He went deep again, and probably took out another 6 yards of the 8 lb. test. Fortunately, I was using a leader, but my drag was definitely too strong as Matt’s pole that I was using was completely arced. Now the stringer was out of the water, and Matt was ready with the net. The fish was beginning to wane, and I was able to bring him along side the boat for Matt to net. It took me 10 minutes to get the hook out, as he had been caught in both lips. He turned out to be a 7 lb. 2 oz. pike that went 32 ½ inches. Not a monster for up there, but the biggest I have ever caught in three October trips, and certainly a fun fight to the boat.

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